Sunrise Time in Atlanta: What to Expect Throughout the Year

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia, knowing the sunrise time can make planning your mornings, commutes, workouts, and photography sessions much easier. While exact sunrise changes daily, Atlanta follows clear, predictable patterns tied to its latitude, time zone, and daylight saving time.

Below is a practical guide to understanding when the sun rises in Atlanta, how it shifts with the seasons, and how to plan your day around it.

Quick Overview: Typical Sunrise Times in Atlanta

Sunrise in Atlanta changes gradually over the year. You can think of it in these broad ranges (all times local to Eastern Time):

These are approximate ranges, but they’re close enough for everyday planning. For exact times on a specific date, it’s best to use a reliable time or weather service.

Why Sunrise Times Change in Atlanta

1. Atlanta’s Location

Atlanta sits at roughly 33.7° N latitude in north-central Georgia. That means:

• Days are longer in summer and shorter in winter.
• Sunrise is earlier in June and latest near early January.

Because Atlanta is well within the Eastern Time Zone (not on an edge), its sunrise times are fairly typical for the Southeast, without extreme early or late sunrises.

2. Eastern Time and Daylight Saving Time

Atlanta follows:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the fall and winter (UTC−5)
• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the spring and summer (UTC−4)

Twice a year, this affects sunrise:

• Spring (usually March): Clocks move forward 1 hour
  → Sunrise suddenly appears about an hour later on the clock
  (for example, about 6:50 AM one day, then about 7:50 AM the next).

• Fall (usually November): Clocks move back 1 hour
  → Sunrise suddenly appears about an hour earlier on the clock.

This shift is important if you have early school drop-offs, MARTA commutes, or morning flights out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Sunrise by Season in Atlanta

Winter (December–February)

• Typical sunrise: About 7:20–7:45 AM
• What you’ll notice:
  • The latest sunrises of the year are around early January.
  • Mornings stay dark during much of the typical Atlanta rush hour.

Local tips:

• If you commute on I-75, I-85, I-285, or GA 400, expect sunrise glare later in the morning, especially on clear days.
• Early-morning walkers, runners, and dog owners in areas like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, or East Atlanta may want reflective gear or lights in the darker months.

Spring (March–May)

• Typical sunrise: Shifts from about 7:00 AM in early March to about 6:25–6:45 AM by late May (after adjusting for daylight saving time).
• What you’ll notice:
  • After the March time change, sunrise temporarily jumps later on the clock.
  • By late spring, Atlanta gets bright early, great for morning outdoor activities.

Local tips:

• Ideal time for Piedmont Park or BeltLine sunrise runs is usually 6:30–7:00 AM by late spring.
• Sunrise photography at Jackson Street Bridge or Kennesaw Mountain works well in this season, as the sun rises early but not extremely early.

Summer (June–August)

• Typical sunrise: Around 6:20–6:35 AM in June, gradually getting later (around 6:50–7:00 AM by late August).
• What you’ll notice:
  • Earliest sunrises are around mid to late June.
  • Long daylight hours: plenty of morning and evening light.

Local tips:

• For beating the heat in Atlanta summers, a sunrise start is ideal for:
  • Walks at Stone Mountain Park
  • Biking along the Westside BeltLine Trail
  • Outdoor workouts in Grant Park or Chastain Park
• The early light also makes summer a good time for sunrise photos of the downtown and Midtown skyline before the haze and heat build up.

Fall (September–November)

• Typical sunrise: From about 7:10–7:20 AM in late September to around 7:50–7:55 AM before the early November time change, then back to about 6:50–7:00 AM afterward.
• What you’ll notice:
  • Sunrises get noticeably later through October.
  • After the November clock change, mornings are suddenly brighter again.

Local tips:

• Fall is one of the best times for clear, colorful sunrises over Atlanta thanks to cooler air and reduced humidity.
• If you’re driving eastbound on roads like Freedom Parkway, I-20, or Moreland Avenue, plan for possible intense sun glare around sunrise.

How to Find Today’s Sunrise Time in Atlanta

Because sunrise changes a little every single day, if you need today’s exact time in Atlanta, try:

• A weather app or clock app on your phone (look for “sunrise” under daily forecast).
• The built-in weather or time widget on many smartphones.
• A general “sunrise time Atlanta today” search on a reliable source.

To use this information well:

1. Check the time the day before if sunrise timing is important (for a flight, event, or photography).
2. Account for travel time if you’re heading to a lookout point like:
   • Jackson Street Bridge near downtown
   • Stone Mountain summit
   • Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Planning Daily Life Around Sunrise in Atlanta

Commuting and School Schedules

• In winter, sunrise often overlaps with or occurs after Atlanta Public Schools start times and early work commutes.
• Parents and commuters may want to:
  • Allow extra time for low-light driving.
  • Expect sharp sun glare right after sunrise on east–west routes like I-20 and some major surface streets.

Outdoor Exercise

If you exercise outdoors in Atlanta:

• Early risers:
  • Summer: Sunrise is early, around 6:20–6:40 AM, good for beating the heat.
  • Winter: Sunrise around 7:30 AM means early workouts may still be in the dark.
• Popular sunrise-friendly areas include:
  • Piedmont Park (Atlanta, GA 30309)
  • Atlanta BeltLine Eastside & Westside Trails
  • Chastain Park, Grant Park, and Candler Park

Check park hours—many city parks are generally open from sunrise to sunset, so knowing sunrise time tells you when you can officially enter.

Photography and Sightseeing

Sunrise is prime time for:

• Skyline views from spots like:
  • Jackson Street Bridge
  • Portions of the BeltLine
  • Top floors of downtown and Midtown parking decks (where permitted)
• Golden hour (the warm light shortly after sunrise) changes seasonally:
  • In summer, it starts earlier (~6:30–7:30 AM).
  • In winter, it’s later (~7:30–8:30 AM), easier for those who dislike early alarms.

Understanding Twilight in Atlanta (First Light vs. Actual Sunrise)

Many people notice first light before the official sunrise. That’s dawn, or civil twilight, when the sky starts to brighten but the sun hasn’t appeared over the horizon yet.

In Atlanta:

• Civil dawn usually begins about 25–35 minutes before official sunrise.
• If sunrise is listed as 7:30 AM, you’ll often see usable light by around 7:00–7:05 AM.

This matters if you:

• Walk or bike in the early morning and just need some light.
• Prefer softer, more subtle light for photos before the sun is fully above the skyline.

How Daylight Length Changes Over the Year in Atlanta

You don’t need exact numbers to feel the pattern:

• Around late June, Atlanta enjoys some of the longest days of the year, with early sunrise and late sunset.
• Around late December, days are shortest, with late sunrise and early sunset.

What that means:

• Morning light is abundant in late spring and summer.
• Morning darkness is more common in late fall and winter, especially before school and work.

This is useful if you’re scheduling:

• Construction or outdoor work
• Early deliveries
• Events that rely on natural light, such as outdoor markets or early races

Practical Tips for Using Sunrise Time in Atlanta

Here are simple, local-focused ways to make sunrise information useful:

• For flights from Hartsfield-Jackson:
  • If you have an early flight, check sunrise time to plan for potential sun glare on I-75/I-85 South or airport access roads.
• For events or photo sessions:
  • Schedule sunrise wedding or engagement photos in places like Piedmont Park knowing that in summer, you may need to be on-site by about 6:15–6:20 AM, but in winter, 7:15–7:30 AM is often fine.
• For safety:
  • In darker months, consider reflective clothing or lights for early morning activity in neighborhoods across Buckhead, Midtown, South Atlanta, and surrounding suburbs.
• For daily routines:
  • If you prefer waking up with natural light, consider adjusting your sleep schedule a little through the year or using sunrise times to time when to open blinds or curtains.

Understanding sunrise time in Atlanta is mainly about recognizing seasonal patterns and keeping an eye on the clock changes in March and November. Once you know the typical ranges for each season, it becomes much easier to plan your mornings, commutes, and outdoor time anywhere in the Atlanta area.